Sarah Gall is a political data scientist and membership secretary for the UK’s Conservative Friends of Australia. She previously headed up political and policy research for the Prime Minister of Australia.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the UK’s Rwanda Bill draws parallels with the highly contentious journey Australia has taken with its own asylum seeker policies.
From the Howard Government’s Pacific Solution to the Rudd Government’s Papua New Guinea (PNG) Solution and the Abbott Government’s Operation Sovereign Borders, Australia’s policies have evolved to a comprehensive strategy designed to deter unauthorised maritime arrivals.
At the core of the current strategy is the Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders, introduced upon their return to office in 2013. The initiative served as a direct countermeasure to the earlier dismantling of the Pacific Solution by the Labor Party in 2008, a move that precipitated the burgeoning border crisis.
The Pacific Solution, initially launched by the Coalition government in 2001, was distinguished by its offshore processing tactics, relocating asylum seekers to facilities in Nauru and Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. This decision was framed by then-Prime Minister John Howard as a legal strategy to prevent asylum seekers from accessing the Australian legal system.
Facing the consequences of removing strict border policies, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reinstated offshore processing in July of 2013. This policy, the PNG Solution, explicitly stated that all (not just some) unauthorised arrivals would be transferred to Nauru and Manus and would never be eligible for settlement in Australia.
At the time, and similar to the current debate here in the UK, many commentators criticised the government’s U-turn, questioning the legality of the policy and the safety of PNG.
And while the misinformation and scaremongering did nothing for PNG’s image as a tourist destination, it arguably did provide Rudd with the required publicity to discourage potential asylum seekers from embarking on perilous journeys to Australia.
In September of 2013, the succeeding Coalition government expanded upon the regional processing with the addition of boat turnbacks and temporary protection visas (TPVs) under the umbrella of Operation Sovereign Borders.
The military-led boat turnbacks initiative, involved intercepting unauthorised boats and either escorting them to the edge of Australia’s territorial waters or sending them back to their originating or transit countries.
This operation, still endorsed by both major political parties, is now conducted by the Australian Border Force in partnership with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, like Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
These collaborative efforts extend beyond mere interception, incorporating intelligence sharing, surveillance, and public awareness campaigns to disrupt smugglers’ operations at the source.
While Australia’s direct military engagements and boat turnbacks underscore a unique aspect of its border security measures, parallels can be drawn with the UK’s joint operational strategy with France.
Despite criticisms of Australia’s turnback policy as potentially “dangerous and harmful”, its effectiveness is underscored by a decade of success, marked by the absence of sea migration-related fatalities and the return of over 1,100 individuals to their departure points. This is in stark contrast with the significant arrivals and tragic losses witnessed during the years that the Labor Party were in office prior to 2013.
The third aspect of Australia’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy, the reintroduction of Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs), remains a contentious issue that still lacks bipartisan support.
Originally deployed by the Howard Government in 1999, TPVs were designed as a deterrent for unauthorised asylum seekers, offering a less favourable status compared to refugees who arrive through formal, safe, and legal pathways. This strategic move aimed to diminish the appeal of people smugglers’ offerings by removing the prospects of permanent residency, family reunion, and travel for those arriving by boat without authorisation.
Labor’s critique of TPVs pointed out their unintended effects, notably a spike in arrivals, especially among women and children. These groups were likely influenced by the restrictive conditions of TPVs, such as the lack of family reunification rights, prompting them to risk dangerous journeys.
In the contemporary context, the Labor Party views TPVs as an obsolete mechanism, arguing that current policies already effectively deter boat arrivals, such that individuals arriving by boat are ineligible for resettlement in Australia.
This stance led to the removal of the TPV class in 2023, primarily affecting those who had arrived by boat before the full implementation of Operation Sovereign Borders.
Despite this removal having no direct impact on the border operations, it inadvertently energised people smuggling networks. These syndicates, ever-watchful for changes in policy, seize upon any hint of adjustments to mislead and exploit those desperate for asylum.
A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson highlighted the deceptive nature of people smuggling operations, stating that “the people smuggling business model is built on the exploitation of information and selling lies to vulnerable people who will give up everything to risk their lives at sea”.
The TPV removal coupled with a High Court’s decision ending indefinite detention – which led to the release of nearly 150 criminals into the community – have been manipulated by smugglers.
These events have contributed to a resurgence in illegal maritime activities, highlighted by an incident last November when 12 unauthorised arrivals were swiftly apprehended and relocated to Nauru within a mere 41 hours of their arrival.
In response to these challenges and the persistent threat posed by smuggling operations, the Australian Border Force has initiated an extensive communications campaign, broadcast in 16 languages.
This initiative aims to clarify Australia’s unaltered border policies and dismantle the false narratives propagated by smugglers, emphasising the “zero chance of success” for those attempting to illegally travel by boat to Australia.
This proactive approach plays a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of potential asylum seekers by informing them of the perils associated with employing people smugglers and highlighting the safer, legal avenues available for resettlement in Australia.
These avenues comprise the United Nations Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) resettlement program, the Special Humanitarian Programme, and the Community Support Program.
Each of these programs offers a structured and secure route for refugees and those in humanitarian need.
The UNHCR resettlement program, for example, plays a crucial role in identifying refugees for resettlement in Australia, ensuring that the most vulnerable, who cannot safely return to their home country or remain in their current host country, are given a chance for a new beginning.
These structured and legal pathways for asylum not only reinforce Australia’s global humanitarian commitments but also serve as a critical counter-narrative to the dangerous and illegal routes marketed by people smugglers, thereby safeguarding potential asylum seekers from exploitation and peril.
While the UK’s geographic and legal contexts, particularly regarding the ECHR, presents distinct challenges, the Australian experience offers insights beyond the “stop the boats” slogan.
The perception and portrayal of border policies by the media, politicians, and the public play a critical role in their effectiveness. In Australia, the robust stance and the narrative surrounding Operation Sovereign Borders have contributed to its deterrent effect, a lesson that could inform the UK’s approach to its own border policies.
If perceived as ineffective or lenient, British policies might inadvertently embolden people smugglers, exploiting vulnerabilities and misinformation. Conversely, a portrayal of tough policies could enhance the deterrent effect, reducing the incentive for dangerous and Channel crossings facilitated by smuggling networks.
The key lies in striking a balance between firm border control measures for unsafe routes and upholding humanitarian obligations through safe and legal routes. By integrating lessons from Australia’s experience, the UK can forge a path that not only safeguards its borders against smuggling but also honours its commitment to protecting human rights and upholding international obligations.
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Author: Sarah Gall
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